Last year during one of my running sessions along Gardiners Creek Trail, an incident took place not often seen. Several people crowded around a man lying flat on the ground, as I drew near, other pedestrians, runners and cyclists watched on with much concern. Actively helping this person was a young woman on the phone to the ambulance whilst a middle-aged man, still with a helmet on his head, knelt, conversing and seeking information about this person: his medication, medical condition, name and so on. Barely conscious he could only respond in a few words and in incomplete sentences.
Helpless, I could only point to the lamp pole containing a code to identify the exact location. Located in a very awkward spot there was no direct path for a vehicle to manoeuvre in. While this was all taking place, going through my head, was admiration for those involved who were going about their day with deadlines to meet or for an important appointment, when suddenly, an unplanned event interrupted. Everything was dropped and all the attention was given to this stranger. This man, or anyone, including ourselves could be lying flat, for whatever reason, would want someone to attend to us in an emergency.
The Good Samaritan story uncovers so many reasons why a fellow human being would not help another because of the labels attached to certain groups and individuals whether it be religious, social or political. An unlikely person came to the aid of the injured traveller, who was probably robbed and left for dead. The story uncovers a blind spot for those guided by labels and tags that good can only come from certain groups or individuals. Not worried by the inconvenience; time nor money, the Samaritan’s main concern and only concern was for this injured person to be looked after and restored to good health.
Sometimes we are placed in a moment of decision. Which cause of action will I take? Move on with our live as if nothing had happened or should we place a person’s well-being above all else?
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Laura Facci says:
Wonderful homily Father Hoang.